KAP sani2c rallies behind Rhino Peak Challenge conservation effort

‘Farmer Glen’ Haw and the KAP sani2c have gotten behind the 2016 Rhino Peak Challenge in an effort to help the event that takes place on World Rhino Day on Thursday, 22 September, contribute as much money as possible to the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s fight against the plight of both the Rhino and the Bearded Vulture.

A renowned social adventure sportsman and founder of the iconic KAP sani2c mountain bike race, Haw has confirmed he will be giving away two 2017 KAP sani2c entries to those who submit a pledge to himself or any of the other Rhino Peak Challenge participants and have either already entered next year’s sani2c or are on the waiting list.

“The Rhino Peak Challenge is a novel initiative to raise funds and awareness for the plight of South Africa’s endangered animals,” explains Haw.

“One lucky 2017 KAP sani2c rider and one lucky Wait List KAP sani2c rider who submit a Rhino Peak Challenge pledge stand to have their entry fee refunded or will be given a free entry into sani2c 2017 respectively!”

The generous offer comes as the clock ticks down to the start of the 2016 Rhino Peak Challenge on Thursday where some of the country’s finest trail runners and most influential personalities, Haw included, involved.

The event requires the exclusive group of participants to race to the top of the rhino horn shaped mountain in the Southern Drakensberg and back down again as quickly as possible.

Pledged amounts – submitted online via the event website, www.rhinopeakchallenge.co.za – are then multiplied by the difference between participants’ pre-race goal time and their actual race time, the sum of which is then donated to Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).

“I know that we are all keen to help save our Rhino, and other endangered species such as the Bearded Vulture, but our lives are busy and everything else that we do often distracts us from actually sitting down and doing something,” says Haw.

“How many times have we all thought ‘I wish there was something I could do’?

“Here’s your chance to help the plight while also standing the chance of winning a free entry into the KAP sani2c!” he adds.

While the offer is only open to those who have already entered the 2017 KAP sani2c or are on the Wait List, organisers have urged both the public and private sector to also show their eleventh hour support by submitting their last minute pledges too.

“It’s still not too late and anyone can submit a pledge!” confirmed race organiser, Spurgeon Flemmington on Wednesday. “People can even submit a pledge right up until participants crosses the finish line on Thursday!”

“We really do ask absolutely everyone to get involved and help us make a meaningful contribution to conservation in our beautiful country and its wildlife.

“While we would love to see some really big pledges come in before pledges close, every pledge of even just R1 per minute all adds up and collectively can help us make a significant impact in the fight against the plight of both the Rhino and the Bearded Vulture.”

Funds raised will be donated to EWT and split on a 50/50 basis between the EWT Sniffer Dog Programme and the EWT Bearded Vulture Captive Breeding Programme.

“EWT have some fantastic programmes on the go that aim to combat rhino poaching in South Africa as well as help save the now critically endangered Bearded Vulture, an inhabitant of the Rhino Peak itself,” says Flemmington.

With elite trail runners such as Lucky Miya, Great Britain’s Holly Page, Robyn Owen, Meg MacKenzie, Rory Scheffer, Tracy Zunckel, Landie Greyling, Steven Erasmus, Su Don-Wauchope, Christiaan Greyling and Nic de Beer all set to tackle the Rhino Peak trails, the action up front is expected to be red-hot.

A little further back, industry leaders such as Tanya Smith, Michael de Haast, Melissa and Hykie Berg, Mbulelo Thinta, Andrew Booth, Deon Braun, Sonja Krüger and Haw will be accompanied by experienced elite trail runners Ryno Griesel and Iain Don-Wauchope in their effort to overcome the out-of-the-ordinary personal challenge.

The 2016 Rhino Peak Challenge takes place on World Rhino Day on Thursday 22 September. To submit a pledge for Robyn Owen, or any of the elite competitors or influential people, and for more information, visitwww.rhinopeakchallenge.co.za.